Welcome to the April 2022 issue of Municipal Water District of Orange County’s (MWDOC) eCurrents newsletter. After a dry February, California residents were hoping for some much-needed precipitation in March to relieve the current drought conditions. Unfortunately, no miracle came to rescue the state from drought. In this issue, we take a closer look at the annual snowpack survey and what it means as Governor Newsom has now expanded the drought emergency statewide. While we wait to see what the State Water Resources Control Board (Board) might impose as a result, Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel did confirm at MWDOC’s February 23rd Water Policy Forum & Dinner that an Economic Impact Study will be performed before the Board moves forward with any long-term water use standards. Additionally, as South Coast Water District cleared another regulatory permitting hurdle, the MWDOC Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the Doheny Ocean Desalination Project.
And finally, April is Earth Month! To celebrate, MWDOC and our partners are inviting everyone to join us for the annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation (Challenge). This is a special year as the Challenge kick-off was right here in Orange County. All of this and more in the latest issue of eCurrents!
If you have any comments or suggested topics for future articles, please send us an email at info@mwdoc.com. Thanks for subscribing!
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MWDOC is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors. To learn more, click on the image above, or visit our website at www.mwdoc.com.
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For a complete list of upcoming and archived MWDOC meetings, click on the image above, or visit our website at www.mwdoc.com.
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WYLAND NATIONAL MAYOR’S CHALLENGE FOR WATER CONSERVATION
April 1-30
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During April, residents across the U.S. will take the pledge to save water and energy as part of the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. The city with the most votes in MWDOC’s service area will win a visit from the Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center. Take the pledge today: www.mywaterpledge.com
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MWDOC WATER POLICY FORUM & DINNER
Featured Speaker: E. Joaquin Esquivel
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State Water Resources Control Board (Board) Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel was the featured speaker at MWDOC’s February 23rd Water Policy Forum & Dinner. Mr. Esquivel shared how the Board plans to address the ongoing drought and other California water issues with a packed house at the Westin South Coast Plaza.
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STREAMS OF HOPE PRESS CONFERENCE
Saturday, March 5
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The Wyland Foundation (WYFO) launched its inaugural Streams of Hope Public Art and Community Cleanup campaign at the Dana Point Festival of Whales on Saturday, March 5. The kick-off included a press conference with comments from MWDOC Board President Megan Yoo Schneider, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s General Manager, Adel Hagekhalil, Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, and others. The first “Stella” baby gray whale statuette was unveiled by project partners WYFO, MWDOC, and the Orange County Conservation Corps and is the first of forty (40) to be displayed throughout Orange County in April.
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RICKY ON THE RUN WITH SOUTH COAST WATER DISTRICT
RH Dana Elementary, Dana Point
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Ricky the Rambunctious Raindrop made a splash at the RH Dana Elementary Jog-A-Thon this March! In partnership with South Coast Water District, Ricky spread the message of good water stewardship and conservation. Ricky has been engaging Orange County’s youngest water users in critical lessons about the value of water since 1973.
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5 KEY FACTS!
About the April 1st Snowpack Measurement
Kevin Hostert, Water Resources Analyst, MWDOC
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Did you know? California’s snowpack is a critical water supply source and helps predict water availability into the warm summer months. The Department of Water Resources recently conducted its annual April 1st survey and found snowpack levels well below average.
CLICK HERE to learn about the snow survey and what it means for our future water supplies.
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3 THINGS TO KNOW!
About MWDOC’s Earth Month Activities
Katie Vincent, Public Affairs Assistant, MWDOC
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Did you know? Earth Day is celebrated by more than one billion people in 193 countries. This year MWDOC is celebrating all month long with a host of water-smart campaigns, activities, incentives, and educational resources for all Orange County water users.
CLICK HERE to learn about our outreach efforts and how to get involved.
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7 SIMPLE IDEAS!
To Celebrate Earth Month
Alana Salas-Yoshii, Public Affairs Intern, MWDOC
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Did you know? There are so many ways to celebrate Earth Month. The possibilities are endless! From beach and waterway cleanups to fixing household leaks, OC is water-smart!
CLICK HERE to explore 7 simple ways to get involved!
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10 TIPS FOR USING ENERGY EFFICIENTLY
UCCE Master Gardeners of Orange County
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Earth Month is here! How will you reduce your use? Lower energy consumption with these top 10 tips for garden efficiency brought to you in partnership by the Municipal Water District of Orange County and UCCE Master Gardeners of Orange County.
CLICK HERE to download and share this handy resource with others!
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“STELLA,” BABY GRAY WHALE STATUETTES SET TO FLOOD ORANGE COUNTY
IN CELEBRATION OF EARTH MONTH
February 28, 2022
This April, a wave of 40 illustrated, eight-foot-long baby gray whale statuettes will spill across Orange County in celebration of Earth Month. As part of a larger, inaugural “Streams of Hope” public awareness and action campaign, statuettes, affectionately known as “Stella,” will be decorated by local Orange County artists to raise awareness about pollution prevention and good water stewardship. READ MORE
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MWDOC BOARD VOTES TO SUPPORT DOHENY DESALINATION
March 3, 2022
MWDOC Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the South Coast Water District’s (SCWD) continued development of the Doheny Ocean Desalination Project. The vote comes as SCWD is set to proceed with the necessary regulatory permitting for the project. A public hearing is scheduled with the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board on March 9th regarding the reissuance of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for the project. READ MORE
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OC STREAMS OF HOPE PARTNERS SIGN ON THE FIRST WAVE OF PARTICIPATING WATER PROVIDERS
March 5, 2022
Orange County water providers from north to south have pledged to support the Wyland Foundation’s first-ever “Streams of Hope” public art and community cleanup campaign. The campaign’s goals are to raise awareness of water and marine pollution and to inspire community action to reduce the flow of litter and harmful chemicals that enter our waterways. READ MORE
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CEREMONIAL GROUNDBREAKING AT CORONET PARK CELEBRATES WESTMINSTER’S COMMITMENT TO USING WATER WISELY
March 24, 2022
Work will begin soon on a water-wise demonstration garden at Coronet Park following a ceremonial groundbreaking event on April 1. The water-wise garden, or “pocket park,” was awarded to the City in 2018 for its outstanding participation in the 7th annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. The pocket park will serve as an educational resource to residents...READ MORE
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How do you plan to celebrate Earth Month? |
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Participate in a cleanup event.
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Take the Wyland Mayor’s Challenge pledge to save water.
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Replace broken or outdated irrigation equipment.
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Swap unused turf with a native plant garden.
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Other ideas? Tell us at PublicAffairs@mwdoc.com!
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FAVORITE TWEETS AND POSTS |
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The average household's leaks can account for nearly 10k gallons of water wasted every year and 10% of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save YOU 10% on their water bills! #FixALeakWeek #WaterUseEfficiency
-Twitter, March 15
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Here's a first look at the El Toro Water District's submission for the @mystreamsofhope campaign. The District had the opportunity to collaborate with a group of local artists from the Laguna Woods Art Association! #Community #Outreach
-Instagram, March 27
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Municipal Water District of Orange County
Phone: (714) 963-3058 Fax: (714) 964-9389
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